Echocardiography—test that using ultrasound technology to produce moving images of chambers, valves, and blood flow of the heart

Electrocardiogram—test used to examine the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart

Electrophysiology Study—test used to assess electrical conduction abnormalities that increase the risk of life threatening arrhythmias; often used in preparation for the implantation of an artificial pacemaker

Embolism —sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot, atherosclerotic plaque, air bubble or other object circulating in the blood

Oxidation —a common chemical reaction involving oxygen; lipids in the endothelium become oxidized as part of the atherosclerotic process

Pacemaker —conducting tissue that spontaneously initiates each cardiac cycle, setting the pace of the heart; normally the sinoatrial (SA) node; artificial pacemaker is an implantable device that paces the heart when its natural pacemaker fails

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